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The 2026-2027 Annual Youth Symphony of DuPage Concerto Competition information

String, Winds, Brass, and Percussion students are encouraged to start preparing for the 2027 Annual Concerto Competition. They must obtain their conductor’s prior approval for their music selection before beginning rehearsals and memorization for the upcoming competition.  Please email your music to your conductor for approval and copy audition@ysdp.org upon approval. We will return the music to the student after the competition, along with the judge’s comments.

We are honored to welcome distinguished judges from outside of YSDP, who brought their expertise and thoughtful evaluation to the event. Following their deliberation, the competition concluded with the following results.

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Date: Sunday, January 21, 2027

Location: McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Requirement: YSDP Concert and Symphony Orchestra members 

Deadline: The application and prior approval are due no later than January 20, 2027, or until the competition schedule is full, whichever comes first. There will be a non-refundable registration Fee of $35.

Click this blue button to register for the Concerto Competition 2027.

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This is an in-person event. The student must play one complete movement of a piece, lasting 8-10 minutes. Submit a scanned copy (one PDF, not multiple pages) of your music with measures marked for the judges. Please email it to audition@ysdp.org or drop it off at the check-in desk in an envelope labeled with your name.

A piano accompanist is required. The student will provide the name of their piano accompanist at the audition registration.  Please contact info@ysdp.org if you need a list of Chicago area accompanists.

Your music must be a PDF containing all pages (in 1 file). Please do not submit each page.

Final decisions concerning solo performances are at the sole discretion of the Music Director.

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Additional Notes:

The competition schedule fills up fast, and we accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assign an audition time once we receive the completed application and payment.

Please obtain your conductor’s prior approval of your music selection before beginning rehearsal and memorization.

All selections must be memorized.

You must play one complete movement of a piece, which should be no longer than 10 minutes.

You must provide a scanned copy of your music, including all pages, in a single file for the judges. Have measures marked.

You must provide your piano accompanist at the audition.

The dress code is recital or concert attire.

Judges will determine the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place winners in each division. Honorable mentions may also be given.

Judges may decline to award 1st place if they feel the specific criteria and standards have not been met.

Final decisions concerning solo performances are at the sole discretion of the Music Director.

Selected Concert and Symphony Winners may perform at the February or April concerts. The 1st place Symphony Concerto Winner will receive $200 and perform their piece with the Symphony Orchestra. The 1st place Concert Concerto winner(s) will receive $100 and perform their piece with their piano accompanist.

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To Symphony Members:

If you are chosen to perform with the Symphony Orchestra during the April concert, the orchestral accompaniments must be easily accessible and affordable to rent.

Please research and inform YSDP of the cost and availability of your music selection before receiving approval.

Discuss where / how to access the orchestral accompaniment parts with your private teacher.

It would be best to play complete movements of pieces. You may use appropriate cuts if the piece is too long. You may use only one movement for the audition.

PAST WINNERS: The previous 1st-place winners must wait 1 year before applying to the competition. 

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We sincerely thank all participants for their effort, dedication, and musical energy in current and prior years. The preparation required for this event represents a significant commitment, and every student who performed or will perform should be proud of their accomplishment!

We are honored to welcome distinguished judges from outside of YSDP, who brought their expertise and thoughtful evaluation to the event. Following their deliberation, the competition concluded with the following results.

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2025-2026 YSDP Concerto Competition Results:

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1st Place

Eliana Bartlebaugh, Concert Orchestra Solo Division 2026

Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Major – Movement I, by Franz Joseph Haydn

Cynthia Trowbridge, accompanist

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1st Place

Owen Spell, Symphony Orchestra Division 2026

Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major – Movement I, by Franz Joseph Haydn

Cynthia Trowbridge, accompanist

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2nd Place

Isabella Feng, Symphony Orchestra Division 2026

Cello Concerto in A minor – Movement I, by Camille Saint-Saens

Chris Garofalo, accompanist

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3rd Place

Max Zheng, Piano, Symphony Orchestra Division 2026

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102 – Movement I. Allegro, by Dmitri Shostakovich

Chris Garofalo, accompanist

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Congratulations to our winners and to all who participated in this inspiring musical event.

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2024-2025 Concerto Competition Concert Orchestra Division Winners

1st Place: Laine Van Cleave, Violin, Romanze by Johan S. Svensden, piano accompanied by Cindy Trowbridge.

2nd Place: Audrey Ho, Violin, Concerto No. 5 in D, Opus 22, 3rd movement by Seitz, piano accompanied by Chris Garofalo

3rd Place: Andre Cheng, Violin, Violin Concerto No. 2 in G major by Joseph Haydn

The Concert Division 1st Place winner, Laine Van Cleave, has the honor of performing solo at the upcoming Winter Concert on February 7th, accompanied by piano and Cindy Trowbridge. 

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2024-2025 Concerto Competition Symphony Orchestra Division Winners

1st Place: Adi Bawiskar, Violin, Barber Violin Concerto Movement 1 by Samuel Barber, piano accompanied by Chris Gu

2nd Place: Tazuma Koh, Trombone, Trombone Concerto Mvmt. 1 by Launy Grondahl, piano accompanied by Haeyoung Han

3rd Place: Emily Park, Violin, Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22 by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by Haeyoung Han

Honorable Mention: Bianca Bares, Harp, performed Concerto in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by Julie Spring

The Symphony Division 1st Place winner, Adi Bawiskar, has the honor of performing as a violin soloist in the Spring Concert on April 13, 2025, with the YSDP Symphony Orchestra accompanying him.

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